Top 10 Arizona high school football defensive backs - 2014

Richard Obert ranks the top defensive backs in Arizona for the 2014 high school football season.

Sponsored by

David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

No. 1 Byron Murphy

Scottsdale Saguaro, 6-1, 180, Jr.: Big cornerback with great ball skills. Fast and quick, hard to beat. Physical. Will slow down opposing team's best wide receiver in press, man coverage. Has major college offers.

Charlie Leight/azcentral sports

No. 2 Kurt Shughart

Scottsdale Chaparral, 5-11, 207, Jr.: This tenacious strong safety takes great pride in breaking up pass plays with vicious hits. His speed allows him to make a great breaks on the ball. Quarterbacks have to be aware of him at all times. He had four interceptions and 14 pass deflections on last year's Division II runner-up team.

Demetrius Flannigan

No. 3 Demetrius Flannigan

Marana Mountain View, 6-3, 180, Sr.: The Arizona Daily Star reported that Flannigan transferred from Tucson, where he starred the past two seasons. He committed to the University of Arizona this summer. Rangy safety who also makes big plays as a wide receiver. Can play corner and safety. As versatile an athlete in the state.

Elmando McCoy

No. 4 Elmando McCoy

Surprise Valley Vista, 5-10, 170, Sr.: Had three interceptions and 22 pass breakups last season. Got Junior Day invitations to Missouri, Arizona and BYU with Auburn, Florida State and Penn State all showing interest. He is a lock-down cover corner with speed and a nasty streak. Rarely gets beat.

Austin Williams

No. 5 Austin Williams

Chandler Basha, 6-1, 160, Sr.: One of the state's best safeties, he covers ground as well as anybody. Great instincts. Leader of one of the state's top secondaries. Fearless, passionate player with great athletic tools.

Tom Tingle/azcentral sports

No. 6 Mason Moran

Chandler, 6-3, 185, Jr.: This is the heir apparent to QB Bryce Perkins, but, in the meantime, he might be Chandler's best defender. He is a beast at either safety or cornerback. He can play either position well. He has great athleticism and a nose for the ball. Tough, physical defender.

Omar Lloyd

No. 7 Omar Lloyd

Tucson Sahuaro, 6-2, 180, Sr.: Great closing speed, this cornerback/safety had three interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season. Gives Sahuaro a top back layer, big-play defender in what could be one of the stronger Division II defenses.

Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star

No. 8 Kory Wilson

Peoria Liberty, 6-0, 175, Sr.: One of the best lock-down cornerbacks you will find. Very athletic. Quarterbacks can't get lazy with the out pass because he will take it back for six. Great instincts. Physical corner.

Jacob Brown

No. 9 Jacob Brown

Paradise Valley, 6-1, 165, Jr.: Younger brother of Jordan, who was one of the state's top receivers last season. Jacob also is a very good receiver, but his college calling appears to be at cornerback, where most colleges like him. He is athletic with natural instincts and rarely lets a receiver get behind him.

Michael Schennum/azcentral sports

No. 10 Ryan Parenteau

Anthem Boulder Creek, 6-2, 190, Sr.: Big hitter who closes grounds quickly. He will be used in various ways on defense to get him in position to make plays. Above-average speed. Great instincts. Loves to hit.

No. 2 Kurt Shughart, Scottsdale Chaparral, 5-11, 207, Jr.: This tenacious strong safety takes great pride in breaking up pass plays with vicious hits. His speed allows him to make a great breaks on the ball. Quarterbacks have to be aware of him at all times. He had four interceptions and 14 pass deflections on last year's Division II runner-up team.

No. 3 Demetrius Flannigan, Marana Mountain View, 6-3, 180, Sr.: The Arizona Daily Star reported that Flannigan transferred from Tucson, where he starred the past two seasons. He committed to the University of Arizona this summer. Rangy safety who also makes big plays as a wide receiver. Can play corner and safety. As versatile an athlete in the state.

No. 4 Elmando McCoy, Surprise Valley Vista, 5-10, 170, Sr.: Had three interceptions and 22 pass breakups last season. Got Junior Day invitations to Missouri, Arizona and BYU with Auburn, Florida State and Penn State all showing interest. He is a lock-down cover corner with speed and a nasty streak. Rarely gets beat.

No. 5 Austin Williams, Chandler Basha, 6-1, 160, Sr.: One of the state's best safeties, he covers ground as well as anybody. Great instincts. Leader of one of the state's top secondaries. Fearless, passionate player with great athletic tools.

No. 6 Mason Moran, Chandler, 6-3, 185, Jr.: This is the heir apparent to QB Bryce Perkins, but, in the meantime, he might be Chandler's best defender. He is a beast at either safety or cornerback. He can play either position well. He has great athleticism and a nose for the ball. Tough, physical defender.

No. 7 Omar Lloyd, Tucson Sahuaro, 6-2, 180, Sr.: Great closing speed, this cornerback/safety had three interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season. Gives Sahuaro a top back layer, big-play defender in what could be one of the stronger Division II defenses.

No. 8 Kory Wilson, Peoria Liberty, 6-0, 175, Sr.: One of the best lock-down cornerbacks you will find. Very athletic. Quarterbacks can't get lazy with the out pass because he will take it back for six. Great instincts. Physical corner.

No. 9 Jacob Brown, Paradise Valley, 6-1, 165, Jr.: Younger brother of Jordan, who was one of the state's top receivers last season. Jacob also is a very good receiver, but his college calling appears to be at cornerback, where most colleges like him. He is athletic with natural instincts and rarely lets a receiver get behind him.

No. 10 Ryan Parenteau, Anthem Boulder Creek, 6-2, 190, Sr.: Big hitter who closes grounds quickly. He will be used in various ways on defense to get him in position to make plays. Above-average speed. Great instincts. Loves to hit.